Background on CRYSTAL WAVES

As promised, here is the background story for my upcoming book, Crystal Waves, which is a Christian mainstream novel.

A book that started out with a "what-if" premise, it also has the distinction of being the first book I wrote back in the early 1990s, when my kids were small and I was a secretary for a brokerage house, and I decided that finally I would try to get my work published. Before my YA books, before my romance novels and Christian inspirational novels, before my short stories published by the confessions magazines, I wrote a Christian novel entitled Crystal Waves, which was roughly about 320 pages long (about 80,00 words, I believe). Someone back at the time suggested I send it to an agent in Texas, a man I'd never heard of before, but remember--I was a total newbie at the time, a complete tenderfoot tossing my hat into the ring. There were a lot of people I'd never heard of. Neither did I think of researching the person to whom I was trusting my work.

Eventually, I was repped by two terrific agents whom I'm proud to have worked with: Jean Price, who is no longer in the business, and Meredith Bernstein of New York. Today I work on my own. This guy, whoever he was, basically kept my book for months on end (though I suspect he just tossed it upon arrival, even though it had been sent with a SASE), and when I worked up the nerve to call him he callously said, "Oh, did I not send that back to you? I'll do that."

He never sent it back. Surprise! Boy, do I miss those days now as a self-pubbed author. Not. Anyway, that's okay. At least I had enough common sense to keep the original, which was written on Multimate. (Yes, it goes back THAT far.)

Crystal Waves then languished in my drawer for a while. In the meantime, I received rejection after rejection on other books and stories, like most new authors Back in the Day of Traditional Publishing, with my YA projects that almost made it but then ultimately didn't. I lost faith in the project and then eventually was published in other genres including romance. At one point, I deep-sixed the floppy on which the book was written and the original hard copy, believing it was just an early work with no potential and no prospects of ever being published. Besides, I was finally a "pubbed" writer who'd found some measure of (slim) success as a midlist author working in other genres.

In recent years as an indie publisher, I've been able to come back to my roots: the Christian/inspirational and mainstream genres. It's been a real pleasure to work on two series, namely Larkspur Valley and now my current series, Joyful Noise. With two books done and one to go in that series, I found myself remembering my "firstborn" baby, Crystal Waves.

I believe the Lord put that on my heart, to remember this what-if story, this big, sprawling novel with a big cast that includes--well, I'm getting ahead of myself.

But I couldn't publish the book. I threw it out, floppy disk and all. I've even gotten rid of computers that USE floppy disks. Besides, it had its share of warts, as most First Books.

Which means the book would have to be rewritten...from scratch.

From memory.

With a 54-year-old writer's memory, no less.

Much of the book is lost to me. Again, it's been years since I first wrote it. I remember key points, even parts that I KNEW wouldn't fly (and have since been eliminated from this new version). And yet the desire to rewrite and publish the book, to share it with my readers, became stronger and stronger.

So I am now rewriting Crystal Waves. Every author, I believe, has a Beloved But Forgotten Book. This is mine.

I'm writing it with the skill I've gained over the years, which I didn't have as a tenderfoot. I'm writing it not timidly or with the will-it-ever-see-the-light-of-day fears of an unpubbed author, but rather with confidence and with love. I could leave it there, in the Past, in the Revolving File, with all the newer irons I have in the fire.

Yet there is something to be said about something that was forgotten by the world, even by the "parent", that is resurrected and is given a second chance, that truly makes me want to return each day to work on this project and to nurture it and see it to the words THE END.

I'm hoping to publish Crystal Waves sometime in late October or early November, depending on its length, which will determine not only its writing but editing time frames.

Now to any authors out there...have any forgotten babies out there you need to take a second look at?

July Updates

Quickie check-in with updates, though the main one is that I'm about halfway done with editing and polishing my upcoming release, DISTANT FIRE, which is Book 2 of THE JOYFUL NOISE SERIES. Very possibly won't be releasing Book 3, FOR THE LOVE OF SUMMER, until September. That will conclude this Christian romance novel series, and then I'll be working on another Christian mainstream, very different than my previous books, and probably a period piece.

Don't forget: In case you haven't read Book 1 of the series yet, UNCONDITIONAL is a perma-free book. Get yours now!

That's the writing/books update.

On the personal front, I've become quite the baker! Thanks to Pinterest, I *finally* found a sourdough starter that I liked and didn't mess up, and here it is. Plus, I lucked out and found a wonderful sourdough bread recipe, and you'll find that here. That was a hit with my family, especially my granddaughter, Aubrey, who wanted some to take home with her.

An interesting note: I had no eggs available when I made the bread recipe and substituted 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. My husband, Bill, didn't know that and was pleasantly surprised, saying it had just a hint of sweetness. Just FYI, in case you want to skip the egg when making this one! It was easy and the dough was less sticky than some I've seen, easy to work with, though you do need about 3 to 4 hours for rising/baking.

While we're on the subject, want something light, healthy, summery and a great side dish for lunch or dinner? Here's a fabulous tomato & cucumber salad! And again, I made a change to it by replacing the feta with about 1/4 cup (but you can certainly use more or less) of grated Asiago cheese.

One more note: Thanks to K9Instinct, I also did some baking for Piper and Lassie. With no coconut flour on hand, I made it with all-purpose flour, the type I always have on hand. The girls LOVED it. Note: Thanks to a friend of mine, Mary, for the tip to freeze half the recipe, since these are fresh and made without preservatives, so you can take them down when you need them for your furbabies.

So there are my July 2014 updates for books-on-the-way...and yummy things to whip up in your kitchen.

Excerpt from UNCONDITIONAL

For the convenience of people who used the pier to fish, the restaurant had designated a restroom for their use with an outdoor restaurant right behind the bar. Valerie loved to fish, but she didn’t love the fishy smell that clung to her hands after handling bait and fish all day. After washing her hands, she used a travel-size bottle of hand cream in her backpack, warm vanilla scent, that she’d picked up at the mall, before checking her cell phone.

One missed call from Kylie, a text from Mom—Have fun, my love! Tell me about it when u get home, k? It was cute to her, how her mother had mastered short cuts on texts as well as any teenager.

The second text message had come from Zed. Reading it brought an exasperated sigh from Valerie.

so whos the fisherman? I no we said we were taking this slow and could see other people but wow that was quick. we just got back together and u didnt say a word bout it either. alright not a big deal just kinda sneaky of you but ok.

“Sneaky? Really, Zed?” she mumbled to herself as she jammed the phone back into her shorts pocket.

This was coming from the same guy who had done his share of “sneakiness,” and not only when they were younger, either. The very last time she’d been his on-again girlfriend, he’d secreted away a side-dish girlfriend, someone from Lodi who’d been visiting Wildwood with a few of her friends. Valerie had found out from the grapevine, because Zed would have kept the little game going for as long as he could if he hadn’t gotten caught, that they had continued to see each other for months. All the times he’d said he was going to New York on business, he’d really been driving up to Lodi to visit his little redheaded secret.

Could it be that Kylie was right? She tried to avoid the subject whenever her best friend and her mother were in the same room, because those two agreed with each other when it came to Zed. But Kylie had said something that had stuck with Valerie.

Zed was your first love. I don’t believe he was ever really the person your heart made him out to be, but you haven’t stopped believing the dreams of the teenager you used to be. That’s why you keep holding on, because you think your love is going to make him into something he’s never been and never going to be.

Valerie smiled, walking back along the long pier, past others who were dropping their lines into the water below. She remembered how she’d teased Kylie about behaving like an amateur psychologist.

And yet…it rang true. Her best friend was like that sometimes, very insightful and, Valerie would say, even wise. Maybe Kylie sometimes seemed to just know her better than she knew herself.

Up ahead stood Josh, checking her line. He had paused and was watching her approach, standing with his long, slim legs spread apart. His tan was deepening from the time they’d already spent out in the sun that day, and there was something oh-so-hunky about the way his complexion went so well with his wind-tossed, sandy brown hair. His sunglasses concealed his eyes, and she mused how he reminded her more of some handsome secret agent rather than a beach-going local.

Awesome guy, she thought.

She found it funny how she’d gotten his choice of drink right on the money. He hadn’t even waited until they’d broken out the sandwiches, either. Josh had whipped out the chocolate milk container and had begun to sip it.

Chocolate milk, an occasional soda, and iced tea. He told her that morning that he never drank except when he was younger, and that he’d done that only to be part of the crowd. Now, he said, he felt no such peer pressure. He claimed not to like the taste of beer, wine or liquor, and that he wasn’t into drugs, either.

Then maybe April was mistaken about…that other matter? Josh hadn’t mentioned a word about it. In fairness, though, that wasn’t something a person offered to bring up, especially while out on a first date.

Please,let it not be true, Lord, she prayed. I don’t know—can I pray that? I guess not. You can do anything, I know. You’re God. But the past is there; it is what it is. It can’t be changed. Please let him be honest with me. I’ve had enough of a man keeping secrets from me, Lord. I’d rather he not disrespect me with a lie. That he be honest with me.

Josh was wiping his hands on a small towel he’d brought with him when she made it back to their spot on the pier.

“You missed it,” he announced.

“What? Oh, man—I wasn’t even gone that long!” she moaned.

“Yep. Feast your eyes on this baby…”

He opened his cooler, which they’d used to store any fish they’d caught—if any were, in fact, caught. Fishing was often a gamble, but a fun one. Inside the cooler, resting on a bed of ice, was a fish big enough to produce two suitable fillets.

“Oh, that’s one gorgeous fish,” she said reverently.

“Yeah, ain’t he good-lookin’? He’ll look even better on a dish with lemon and tartar sauce.”

“Next to some of those yummy, little fingerling potatoes. Roasted fingerlings.”

“And corn on the cob.”

“With butter.”

With all that talk of food making him hungry, Josh licked his lips. That made her think of kissing. The thought of kissing him made her have to catch her breath.

“That menu sounds perfect,” he declared.

“And we forgot biscuits. I know how to make really good ones from scratch, like the ones you get at Red Lobster, with some shredded cheddar and rosemary and garlic spice.”

He cleared his throat. “You think you’d like to…have that for dinner tonight? Or…You’re busy after your volunteer work?”

One date…to be continued. Tonight.

New! Q&A for THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ

Head over to Free EBooks Daily for a Q & A on my free book, THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ. A little background on this short story that is also Book 2 of THE LARKSPUR VALLEY SERIES.

Enjoy!

Smashwords Coupon--Get Yours Now!

Head on over to FOREVER IN YOUR HEART'S page on Smashwords and use the promo code DD24K for your free copy! This offer expires April 30, 2013.

In other news, I've been busy scribbling away on my summer release, so drop by this blog often for more info. Coming this week: A sneak peek at the cover of GREETINGS FROM MY SANDY DREAMS.

Excerpt from FOREVER IN MY HEART

Here's a peek into FOREVER IN MY HEART. I'll also be posting a different one on Goodreads soon.

Violet opened her eyes. The popular Temptations song had finished and now something else was playing, but she didn’t want to listen to it. She rose from her chair and headed to the water, wading in as far as her chest.

The lake water was at a perfect temperature. Not too cold but not too warm that it couldn’t refresh her, either. Drinking in a deep breath, she submerged herself completely, trying to forget the daydream that brought her so much joy and yet so much pain. After a few seconds, she emerged, letting out the breath she’d been holding in and taking in more breaths, cleansing and reviving. Now that she’d gotten completely wet, she swam out several feet into the deeper water and remained there, floating, until she’d had her full. Then she returned to her chair.

In her bag, along with a tube of suntan oil, a bottle of Patio orange soda, and a brush, she’d also stashed her Bible, a notebook and a pen.

Her notebook was her journal. In all her life, Violet Dunne had never kept a journal. With her past, what was worth recording? Particularly when it came to the sordid details of her life on the street?

But shortly after coming to the Lord, she began keeping a diary. So far, she’d filled two of them, and she was about a third of the way through this one. She preferred the steno pad-style notepad, the kind used by secretaries when taking dictation from their bosses.

She couldn’t remember her exact reason for keeping a journal in the first place. No one had told her to do it, though the handful of people she’d told—including Ruth, who’d encouraged her to continuing doing so. Deep down, it seemed that her purpose for doing it, both originally and at the present, was to keep track of her walk with the Lord God. When it became apparent that this was real, not just some emotional phase she was going through, she began recording what now was clearly a journey with her Savior that had brought her out a life that previously had been dark and without hope.

Lord, I don’t blame Suzanne. I was never much of a mother to her. My sister is her real mother. I just gave birth to her. But You know that I’ve never, ever stopped thinking about her. She’s the only thing that was every worth anything in my life, besides You. I know that I’m asking for a lot, and I know I don’t deserve it, because all I really deserve is for her to treat me like a stranger for the rest of my life. But please, Jesus. Please let her forgive me. Please soften her heart so that

“Ahhh, I see that Ruth Gordon has some influence on you, Miss Dunne!”

Even before looking up, she recognized the voice, which had come from only a few feet away. As soon as she saw Dr. Wilkerson—or rather, Buck, as he’d asked her to call him—in the saddle of a beautiful horse, she felt like she’d had the wind knocked right out of her.

“The name is Violet…cowboy,” she said, sharing a carefree laugh with him. “And I wish I could write like that lady. Ruth’s my favorite writer.”

“Is she, Violet?” He said her name as if trying it on. She had to admit, it rolled so pleasingly on his tongue.

“Well, I’m making myself sound like such a studious person.” She laughed again and self-consciously closed her notepad. “It’s not like I’ve read a lot of books. I’ve started to, though. And I’ve read all of Ruth’s. They may be kids’ books, but she’s still my favorite writer.”

“I don’t know about studious, but you’re a pretty intelligent lady, Violet Dunne.”

She watched him dismount from that sleek horse. Since she’d lived in Larkspur Valley, she’d seen plenty of farmers. Henry Gordon, Ruth’s husband, was a farmer. Buck Wilkinson fit the image in her mind of a cowboy to a tee, as just as well as Gary Cooper ever could.

Make that Gary Cooper with a dash of Jimmy Stewart.

Sweet like Jimmy Stewart’s on-screen personality. Same deep, drawling, manly voice, too.

With the exception that, dressed in his jeans, a short-sleeved, checkered western shirt, a cowboy hat and worn boots, he was even better looking and more swoon-worthy than anything even Hollywood could come up with.

“How’s the water?” he asked.

“The water? Oh—it’s perfect.” Crazy her! Was she a schoolgirl now? That was a new one. “Not too hot, not too cold. You should go for a dip.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t think to bring my swimming trunks.”

He tipped his hat back on his head…cowboy-style. She almost forgot how to blink.

Plus, she suddenly felt self-conscious. He wasn’t leering at her, but he was a man, and a bachelor, to boot. The fact sure hadn’t escaped him that he was standing in front of a woman sitting there, wearing only a swimsuit.

There was a time when she’d had the kind of figure that drew the attention of men, and she would dress that figure with the intention of grabbing that attention. Now that she was older, Violet’s hips and waist weren’t as narrow as they’d once been. She knew there were women her age, in their forties, who still possessed the figure of a woman in her twenties; but she wasn’t one of them. She wasn’t fat or frumpy, but neither was her body as tight as it had once been.

Buck didn’t seem to notice. He was a gentleman, but for the briefest moment she was flattered, when she caught his gaze rake over her appreciatively.

“See, now, I knew you’d be here. I should’ve come prepared,” he told her. “Could’ve raced you to the other end and left you in the dust.”

“Oh, is that so?” She smiled. Violet recognized an attempt at flirtation when she saw one. “Next time, you come prepared. See how dusty you get.”

That comeback won a chuckle from him. “Eh, the lady’s making a threat, so maybe she’s the better swimmer.”

“Well, I don’t have many talents, not much I do well, but I swim like a fish in water.”

“So you’re telling me you’re a mermaid? Then I know not to be fool enough to try and race you.”

“That’s right!” she exclaimed. Then she rose to her feet. “Can I…is it okay if I say hi to Gypsy?”

“’Course. She’d like that. She’s a spoiled little girl. Loves all the attention she can get.”

“Awww. Well, gorgeous women are like that. And this lady is gorgeous.”

Buck watched her for a few moments, standing on the Morgan’s other side while Violet stroked her dark, silky mane and patted her long neck.

“She’s a sweet girl,” she remarked. “How are you enjoying your ride this afternoon?”

“Wonderful. It’s hot out, but wonderful. We’re about done. I don’t want Gypsy getting overheated. Say, uh, Violet…” Hesitantly, he cleared his throat. “You doing anything special tonight?”

Her blood quickened, yet she kept her attention riveted on the mare.

Say no. You’re so out of Dr. Cowboy’s league, sugar plum, it ain’t funny.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked against her better judgment.

“Dinner. Preferably cooked by someone else, like in a restaurant. Something with lots of bread and butter and dessert and conversation we can share.”

This would be a really good time to use the word “no.” Lord, help me say it. Lord, why can’t I say it right now?

“I love bread with butter,” she murmured, stalling.

“I do, too. Almost as much as cheese with crackers.”

“Oh, no, I can make a meal out of cheese and crackers!”

“Now I would’ve thought a mermaid like you would say lobster. Or shrimp. Or some other sea-dwelling creature. So…”

He took a step closer to her. Too close. Enough to make her heart race in a way Violet hadn’t thought possible for such a long time.

“What do you say? Will you have dinner with me, my lovely mermaid?”

Character Interview with Violet Dunne

Meet Violet Dunne, one of the new characters from Book Three of The Larkspur Valley Series. Now that her book will be released this month and the dust has settled, Violet graciously dropped by for a visit.

So it's my pleasure to introduce Violet, one of the stars of Forever in My Heart...

VIOLET (laughing): Thanks, but I'm not a star! I'm just a regular gal.

CK: Ah, you're modest. How do you like visiting the year 2013? Especially because your story takes place in 1966?

VIOLET: It's incredible! I can't believe everybody has their own computer now. And you don't need to hunt down change for a public phone when you're out because everybody carries their phone with them at all times? That's so Twilight Zone.

CK: It is amazing how much things have changed. I agree. I was 6 during the year your story is set.  Without giving too much away, where are you from?

VIOLET: Originally from New York. And like you said, without giving too much away, I moved out to Pennsylvania to be close to family. I also wanted a complete break from the life I'd been living for years.

CK: Did you find that in Larkspur Valley?

VIOLET (smiling): I did. But it wasn't easy. Through a lot of the story, I spent a lot of time--well, they'll have to wait and see.

CK: You also meet someone in this book. He's a new character, too, right?

VIOLET: That's Buck. Yes, well...no. He's new to the readers because he wasn't in More Than Sparrows or The Christmas Waltz, but he's lived in Larkspur Valley for a long time. He's my honey.

CK (laughs): He's a doctor? Or he's a cowboy?

VIOLET: Both. Actually, he's not a cowboy, per se, but he does own a horse and he goes riding often. I call him a cowboy. He always makes time for me, even if he is pretty busy busy with his appointments and making house calls--

CK: Which doctors don't do anymore, but Dr. Charles Wilkinson (Buck is his nickname, I believe), like doctors back then, does them.

VIOLET: That's right.

CK: Hey, who's on the cover of the book? There's a bride and a groom kissing on there, but there are a lot of people in Forever in My Heart.

VIOLET: There is a wedding that takes place. Wait and see.

CK: Aha! You catch on quick.

VIOLET: I try! There are more newcomers and a few familiar faces from the earlier books. Plus you get to find out about that harp Timothy saw in More Than Sparrows.

CK: Cool. Does Cynthia Truesdale, the town gossip, show up in the story? Because she makes appearances in both of the first two books.

VIOLET: Yep, she's there. Troublemaker!

CK: Every book needs one of those! (laughs) Lots of drama, too.

VIOLET: Yes, lots of drama. Where there are secrets, there's bound to be drama.

CK: Well, I hope the readers enjoy this one.

VIOLET: Me, too.

CK: And thank you for stopping by.

VIOLET: My pleasure, hon.

CK: The book is Forever in My Heart, the final book of the 3-book Larkspur Valley Series. Come meet Violet Dunne, her honey the doctor-slash-cowboy, some old friends from the first two books, and all the people in Larkspur Valley, PA!

New Christmas Short Story!

With the great reception that MORE THAN SPARROWS has received--it's spent some time on both the Christian Historical and Christian Romance Historical bestseller lists, I'm so excited to announce!--I've decided to release this romantic short story for Christmas.

AND here's more news: THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ won't be a stand-alone story, but rather part of the new Larkspur Valley Series! This is the story of June Sheppard, the sister of Ruth Beverly from MORE THAN SPARROWS. Please note: THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ is a short story, but the next book in the series will be longer in length. I wanted to offer a shorter work for readers to enjoy during the holidays, since it's been a year since my last Christmas release, 'TWAS THE SPY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, came out.

As soon as I have a release date, I'll post it here. For now, here's the cover for a Christmas short story that I hope will touch your heart and bring you both joy and a tear to your eye.

FREE Ebook!

Tired after all that mad dashing around from store to store yesterday? Or still recovering from all that cooking and cleaning on Thanksgiving? Wondering what to read tonight? Well, I have a little gift waiting for you at Amazon! Pick up your free copy--for today ONLY--of MORE THAN SPARROWS. And if you're so inclined, please feel free to leave a review. In any case, I hope you enjoy it!

Currently working on...

1. Doing the final edits on SEA SIREN, which *may* be getting released in June versus July, but only if it's edited & polished by then, and

2. Working on the first of a 4-book Christian romance series set in the 1940s.

Also in the meantime, my first Christian inspirational romance, GLIMMERS OF HEAVEN, has held steady on THREE Amazon bestseller lists! I am both pleasantly surprised and honored, especially considering the book was my first indie title, published in October of 2011. Hope it blesses and brings pleasure to its readers, and I'm looking forward to bringing out the series, which is tentatively titled THE SONGBIRDS SERIES.

Not to be a tease, but more info to follow!